I remember it was around the year 2008 when I finally had my very own computer. Don’t get me wrong, we have a computer at home, but it was meant for everyone’s use.
I invested on my very own computer for the sake of working at home. My medical transcription job back then had given me that chance. To tell you truth, that was my sole purpose – to work in the comforts of home.
Well, being someone who had never had her very own computer before and only been forced to study computer classes for the sake of grades during school years, I never knew how to take care of my computer. I just know how to use it. I normally depended on my brothers whenever I encountered a problem on our shared computer – may it be a hardware or software issue, or both.
Luckily, with my own computer, I can depend on my husband for my troubles (he is kind of my personal technical support 
) – so guess what, I did not feel the need to actually learn anything and everything about computer problems. However, there are times I thought I had to start learning the basics of troubleshooting my own computer, especially when my husband is not around. Most of the times I had to wait for him to fix it up and that’s only when I can continue my work with it.
The years go by and I learn bit by bit. Thanks to the Internet, I was able to learn things and ask my husband for clarity and further examples so I can truly understand.
The first time I encountered a fake antivirus program (I didn’t know it was fake back then), I thought I was doing my computer a favor. It was really convincing, and I thought, “Way to go, Johanna, you have done something wrong again with your computer, as always!” My initial reaction was that I was kind of surprised how I got the virus and at the same time I was relieved it was found out. Guess what – for me, it was really tempting to hit that button and do the scan it was offering. Being unable to help myself from clicking it, I did it and..see the photo below on what happened next..
A very convincing computer scan for viruses
I was dumbfounded to see there are threats found on my computer, without even my husband being aware of it! I was really tempted to click that “Full System Cleanup” button, but something came over me and I decided to wait for my husband, as I looked at the time and thought he was going to be home any minute soon. When he got home, I showed it to him. He said, “Move over. Let’s see.”
After a few clicks, it turns out it was a fake. Boy, I thought, I nearly killed my computer. If ever I had clicked on that Full System Cleanup button, who knows what headaches that simple action might have had cost me – uh, I mean my husband. One thing’s for sure though, it would cost me my work-at-home job. Lucky me my husband was there, as always.
Yesterday, I submitted my second guest post regarding fake security software or otherwise known as Rogueware. It is now published at TechPatio.com which is exclusively owned by Klaus, a knowledgeable techie himself as well as a very enthusiastic Apple user.
Click the link below to head over there to learn more about how these rogueware work and how to determine if you are being offered a free scan that can actually become your computer’s worst nightmare.
Please feel free to comment there and here. Your views, questions and suggestions are most welcome!
Thanks for stopping by!
Also, if you have enjoyed reading this, please use the social media buttons below to share this post with your friends.
PS. If ever I will encounter this kind of virus (image below), I would surely welcome it with open arms!
Have a great day everyone! 
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: EffortlessEbook
May 22, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Your post reminds me of a similar experience. I was still a computer naive young boy. My brother was a computer-savvy. He had a computer at home and he knew how to use it well. But then he had to more to another city. He couldn’t take it with him. So he left it at home. I had a very basic knowledge of how to use it. I was like you. I didn’t know the basics of troubleshooting a computer.
Now, after about 2 hours of his departure, the monitor turned black and I saw a big red word at the top “SPYWARE”! I was so scared. I didn’t know what to do. Luckily, a computer-savvy friend was living close to us. I called him and he fixed everything for me.
After this horrible experience (I was soo scared), I had to learn how to fix things myself. I learned by trial and error. It is true that I made some terrible mistakes, but I learned a lot of things from them. Now that computer doesn’t work at all (how do you think I learned?!).:D
Mouh
Mouh@Effortless eBook Writing recently posted..The Mistake That Resulted in Losing Sales and How I Solved it
Hi Mouh,
Thank you for sharing with us your experience on rogueware. Most of us who encounter these types of unwanted things on our computers usually panic and think that we have done something gravely wrong.
Those who make these kinds of annoying rogueware take advantage on those who are non-techies or those who simply don’t know how to troubleshoot a computer.
Even if your computer there does not work anymore, I guess the bright side of it is that you learned something from it. Nice one, Mouh!
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..The 5 Best Free Firewall Available
Well, as far as Roguewares are concerned, their success depends upon how neatly have they been designed, and they have been amongst the most serious threats for potential phishing. I don’t remember the exact name, but some four years ago something had come up with the windows name, and became a huge success until it was deciphered and declared that it was no good at all.
Adam Gardner recently posted..Victorian Furniture History
Hi Adam,
I agree with you that the success of a rogueware depends on how it has been designed. Sadly, there are many people out there who are not familiar with what is supposed to be authentic or not simply because they find the rogueware realistic enough.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..The 5 Best Free Antivirus Available
Twitter: melvinblog
May 22, 2011 at 6:43 pm
Well those are annoying ones. I have never gotten fooled by those programs considering I’m techy but I understand a lot of people are not. Its such a hassle though, when one makes the mistake of agreeing for the rogueware to install something because thats the start of it ruining their entire computer system.
Melvin recently posted..May 21 Aftermath- Is Your Blog Still Alive lol
Hi Melvin,
Yeah, these rogueware are really annoying, especially if you have given them the chance to infiltrate your computer and let them embed viruses everywhere.
It’s quite amazing to think that with a single click you can access almost everything on the Net. However, with that single click, it can also be the only action needed for your computer’s untimely demise – through rogueware, of course.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..5 Common Medical Myths in the Philippines
Going by the basic definitions, from my point of view, a rogueware is a much enhanced version of Trojan Horses(see Troy: movie)
.
However, the only way for the common people to avoid them is to have to stick to standard and well reputed brands that provide you quality software.
Joshua@Plumbing training recently posted..Plumbing Practice Test
Hi Joshua,
Welcome to my blog!
You are right. The only way for non-techie people to avoid getting duped by these roguewares is by sticking to well-known brands only. That way, they will not be tempted into accepting free virus and malware scans when they know they have a reliable software responsible for doing that installed in their computer.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..5 Interestingly Unusual Articles from Wikipedia
I agree with you! Its not just common people, many a time, even geeks too get fooled by these kinds of softwares, so we all have to go to trusted names in this case.
Anyways, it was really nice hearing from you!
Regards
Joshua@Plumbing training recently posted..Why Choose Plumbing as a Career
I agree, it’s really surprising that even the geeks fall victim to these kinds of fake antivirus scans or the like. Though, it’s quite amusing that not every geek would admit that he had been duped by a software.
Nice to hear from you as well
Comments like yours are very welcome here and they at least deserve a reply back.
Thanks again for stopping by! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..Windows 8 Portable Allows you to Bring Your Desktop Workspace with You
Twitter: ronniedare
May 23, 2011 at 8:58 am
There are so many peeps out there who are still falling into this kind of fake stuffs. At least, your post, can inform them, hopefully, that this kind of warnings are indeed fake and should be avoided at all cost.
Ron recently posted..Philippine Azkals Vs Sri Lanka Football Team
Hi Ron,
If my post could help to educate at least some of my readers to avoid falling victim from roguewares, then I would be very happy.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..The 8 Important Parts of a Blog Part II
Hi Johanna,
I’d also welcome the virus that eats fats.lol Lesson learned: we shouldn’t trust those offers from any websites. We have antivirus software to do the job.
Hi Ira,
Welcome to my blog!
Yeah, if only a virus that eats fats really exist, then I would be happy to welcome it! Working for hours in front of a computer can have uhh..side effects, the most common is gaining extra weight.
Anyways, back to the topic – we must be cautious before accepting offers from suspicious-looking websites (like scanning and removing potential viruses they will find on your computer), especially when they emphasize that it’s all free.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..The 8 Important Parts of a Blog Part I
I am always getting virus from floppy drive, and here comes the USB infected with virus. I installed some antivirus and later I suspected that the antivirus I installed were also the virus carrier. Maybe it had been infected on the installation process. I guest some pirated software contain viruses.
dlysen recently posted..Remember Special Occasion
I’m using NOD32 and USB Resident Shield. These two works great for securing my laptop. Experience will teach you many things but as a young kid, clicking everything I see interesting in the internet – my first MS Millenium Edition was forced to a bug down.
Hi Paul,
Welcome to my blog!
I agree with you, if we are fairly new to computers (especially as young kids), we click everything that interests us – and that makes our computers vulnerable to rogueware and other harmful bugs. Glad to know what you’re using on your laptop for security works well for you.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..3 Amazing Fruit Facts – Fruits that are Found Also in the Philippines
Twitter: callcenterguy75
May 25, 2011 at 4:58 pm
As a technical support agent, Rogueware is one of the most common problem that we encounter. It’s sad to think that there are some people out there that write malicious software to victimize people.
Dennis@24/Se7en Online! recently posted..A Prayer Of Thanks
Hi Dennis,
It’s really kind of sad to think about those who knew more on computers tend to make harmful rogueware to victimize unwary computer users.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..Firefox 4 is Awesome!
Ah fake antivirus is SO ANNOYING! I had a dilema in February when I had a fake antivirus pop up and stupidly I ran it and it downloaded all sorts of horrible viruses onto my computer which took absolutley ages to shift so I’m going to be so careful in the future when things like that pop up!
Harriet recently posted..Mobile Phone Exchange
Hi Harriet,
We were practically on the same situation – but lucky I didn’t click yet on the “Full System Cleanup” button and decided to wait until my husband got home. Maybe if I clicked on that button I would’ve possibly lost every data I have on my computer.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..5 Common Medical Myths in the Philippines
Great article. It should be very helpful to all newbies out there
Edwin recently posted..Backlink Surge- Get Hundreds Of Links From Article Directories
Hi Edwin,
This post is geared mostly for the newbies. But of course, even those who are very knowledgeable about computers can still be tricked into clicking these kinds of fake antivirus programs.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..The 5 Best Free Firewall Available
Inspite of saying or writing articles for the SAME topic, Newbies are still gonna do this ! Fake wallscreen savers to antiviruses, people get fooled too soon. I never understand why they fail to mark the difference between an antivirus and a malware rogueware.
When I was a kid, I used to consult seniors or someone. Why don’t they at least learn from other people’s experiences or by reading blogs related to it.
Thanks for this great article, gonna share it !
shashank chinchli recently posted..Sudokubum – A Sudoku game done in HTML5
Oh thank you for letting us know about Rogueware. Just like you, I’ve been a victim of these fake antivirus scans before. Now, I just stick to one antivirus and one antispyware. And I really haven’t had a problem since.